Clews explained: “Consumers have never really been more aware of what goes into the things that they use. In an age of health and well-being, they are associating natural products with being better for them.”

He continued: “There is a link with being natural and that being good for you. We are really seeing lots of movements toward natural ingredients and products. It is still quite a wide topic because there isn’t really a certified natural status, so it is open to interpretation.”

Clews explained the process of making natural products is complex and that lots of stability work needs to be undertaken, as particularly personal care products need to be completely stable.

He explained this within the partnership between Stephenson Group and Lucy Bee, Clews said: “We had to do at least 13 weeks of stability testing after each batch was manufactured, to make sure the products were stable.

“Then when the fragrance is added to the products [via company Soapworks], a further 13 weeks testing is needed.”

He explained that there are big markets in the UK, northern Europe and North America for natural products as consumers in these regions are “very aware” of the natural and organic markets.

Producing coconut oil-based soap

The coconut-based soaps will be introduced in October in the UK, with plans to extend this to international markets.

Coconut oil is an edible oil extracted from the kernel or meat of matured coconuts – image courtesy of Lucy Bee.

In order to create the soaps, coconut oil firstly needs to be extracted from the kernel, the main white meat of the coconut, this is done after the shell is removed.

The kernel then needs to be dried and cold pressed to extract the oil, the process for Lucy Bee products is undertaken in either the Philippines or Sri-Lanka.

The manufacturing process to create coconut oil-based soap

Coconut oil is extracted from coconuts in the Philippines of Sri Lanka

Coconut oil is combined with alkaline sodium hydroxide in a reactor

Reaction releases high temperatures

Temperature is monitored as well as volume expansion of product

Reaction cools and leaves water and soap

Water is dried off leaving soap

Fragrance is added to the soap and it is packaged

Clews concluded: “I think that the launch of this product is part of a movement and I think it will only continue to grow as consumers continue to be more aware.”